Disney: the epitome of childhood fantasy. Since the 1900s, the magic of Disney has sparked the imagination of millions of children around the globe. From groundbreaking animation to cheerful tunes, Disney has become synonymous with every child’s magical fantasy. The world of Disney has expanded over the decades to include books, television programs, theme parks, and even its own viewership platform. However, the most recognizable endeavor of Disney is indisputably the trademark Disney movies. Starting from simple hand-drawn images in the movie Snow White to its recent groundbreaking CGI animations, the world of Disney has come a long way. Recently, the 2010s have seen the rise of the adaptation of live-action movies. Creating a whole new market, new live-action adaptations are conceptualized and released year after year. With millions of dollars in revenue, live actions are undeniably profitable and lucrative for Disney. However, despite the undeniable monetary success of such adaptations, many polarizing opinions have cast a shadow on Disney’s paradise.
One of the particular dilemmas of live actions is the faithfulness to the original story. Earlier live adaptations such as Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast were criticized for lack of creativity and the failure to bring something fresh and new to the familiar story. On the other hand, adaptations such as Mulan and Aladdin were criticized for diverging from the original storyline and creating new, unnecessary plotlines and characters. The recently released Mulan was heavily criticized for removing well-beloved characters and the memorable original soundtrack. The lack of balance between creativity and faithfulness to the originals continues as one of the glaring failings of Disney in its adaptation of live actions.
A characteristic feature of Disney’s well-loved animated films is the “Disney magic”, the ability of filmmakers and scriptwriters to captivate all audience members—both children and adults—and tell a timeless story. These stories are often portrayed in music or in the classic hero’s journey to find oneself. The depth of the universal, timeless truths presented in these stories is strikingly absent from many live-action movies. Critics blame rushed plotlines, bland music, and the lack of storytelling depth as the main reasons why viewers leave theaters disappointed. Poor storytelling cannot be hidden, even by stunning cinematography, majestic soundtracks, and stellar acting.
It is no secret that in modern-day media there is constant pressure for studios to create movies that are “politically correct”—Disney being no exception. With the adaptation of new live actions, the studio is visibly striving to include representation, empowerment, and equality in its new productions. However, despite the inclusive progress of Disney, it is still facing backlash for cultural and political missteps. The 2020 adaptation of Mulan was heavily criticized for its lead actress’s remarks on the political situation in Hong Kong and the movie’s controversial filming location. The upcoming live adaptation of The Little Mermaid has also been both praised and criticized for casting an African American actress as its titular character. In the pursuit of political correctness and cultural inclusivity, the live-action films often lose their main message and wholesome storytelling. Majority of the film’s moments of empowerment and inspiration are lost in its weak storytelling. To fit the perfect mold of political correctness, unnecessary sacrifices had to be made, resulting in a hollow film that fails to both tell a timeless story and create a positive force of change.
Polarizing opinions continue to dominate Disney’s live-action adaptations. With new adaptations such as The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Wendy, and Cruella, Disney shows no signs of slowing down its ever-increasing lineup of live actions. However, with the mounting criticism of the masses, Disney faces a growing dilemma. From cries for boycotts to constant negative reviews, Disney stands at a crossroad in its quest for live actions. If Disney refuses to change its current bland formula for adaptations, its future live actions will soon find an audience of skeptical scrutiny rather than eager anticipation.
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